A Reddam House Helderfontein student is gaining attention on the ice after being selected to represent Gauteng across three age groups at the 2026 Ice Hockey Inter-Provincial Tournaments (IPTs).

Fourteen-year-old Grade 9 student Phoenix Howie has been named in the U16, U18 and U20 first teams — an achievement that places him among a small group of players competing beyond their age group.

“I am very proud to have achieved this and very excited for the opportunity to represent Gauteng,” says Phoenix. “It is a huge accomplishment as I am much younger than most of my teammates, especially in the U20 team.”

Ice hockey remains a niche sport in South Africa, with relatively small player pools and limited clubs. While it is not uncommon for strong players to compete across age groups, selection to first teams at multiple levels signals both consistency and high performance

“We were initially hoping that Phoenix would be selected for the first team in the U16 and U18 age groups, which would already have been a strong achievement,” says Dave Short, Deputy Head at Reddam House Helderfontein. “We were pleasantly surprised when he was also selected for the U20 first team.”

Phoenix Howie on the ice

Building confidence across age groups

Competing against older, more experienced players has presented both challenges and opportunities for growth.

“It was very difficult since I am both smaller and younger,” Phoenix explains. “As you move up the age groups the acceptable roughness in the game grows. It is definitely scary facing a much older and taller opponent when you are fighting for a puck.”

He has adapted by focusing on teamwork, decision-making and continuous skill development, including additional skating lessons to improve speed and control. “I attend all practices, try to improve my skills and techniques, and I am always trying my hardest whether it is a practice or a game.”

A family passion for ice sports

Phoenix’s journey into ice hockey began alongside his older brother, Connor, a figure skater, shortly after Covid lockdown restrictions eased. “We joined the ice-skating academy at the Northgate rink and did a ‘learn to skate’ course,” he says. “Once we improved enough, we had the choice to either start figure skating or ice hockey. I went ice hockey, and he went figure skating.”

Discipline on and off the ice

Balancing the demands of competitive sport with school requires discipline and support, something Phoenix has grown into over time. “It is very hard to balance school and ice hockey,” he says. “I try to make the most of time in class so I know what’s going on and maintain my grades, and in practice I push myself so I can keep improving.”

Dave Short notes a clear shift in Phoenix’s academic focus. “He is extremely competitive and motivated to perform at a high level, and he works hard to achieve this,” he says. “We have also seen a change in his approach to academics this year, with a greater focus on his schoolwork and subject choices.”

The school supports this balance through a flexible and understanding approach, particularly around training commitments and workload management.

Phoenix Howie taking a shot

Inspiring the next generation

While competing across multiple age groups is uncommon, it is not unheard of in Gauteng ice hockey. Dave points to examples of older players who have followed similar paths and gone on to represent South Africa at national level. “We are extremely proud of Phoenix and excited that he may be following a similar pathway,” he says.

For the school community, achievements like this serve as a reminder of what consistent effort can achieve. “It inspires other students by demonstrating that dedication and perseverance pay off,” adds Dave. “It reinforces the importance of a balanced lifestyle, where students are able to manage academic responsibilities alongside high-performance sport.”

Phoenix Howie with team mates

Looking ahead, Phoenix has his sights set on continuing his development and exploring opportunities to play internationally after school. “My goal is to go to university abroad and play ice hockey at a higher level,” he says, “and give myself the best chance of building a future in the sport.”